GERARD IS ON HIS WAY BACK
Midfielder reborn at Purps
CITY of Liverpool midfielder Gerard Kinsella has spent the last season enjoying his football again after rather a turbulent career.
The 28-year-old was released from Everton at the age of 19, having struggled with injuries – and those problems followed him when he joined Fleetwood Town on a free transfer.
Bizarrely, the Liverpool-born player then missed two years of his career after testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid, which he believed was to help treat his back pain.
After returning to play Non-League around the north-west with the likes of Warrington Town, Marine and a short stint in Wales with Flint Town, Kinsella has now settled back into life as a footballer and coach.
“It’s more about being part of something for me now, not so much about me myself,” he told The NLP.
“Especially with City of Liverpool as well. Being truthfully honest, was I enjoying football before I came here? I’d have to say no.
“I had fallen out of love with it, I was going through the motions.
“Since I’ve come to City of Liverpool it’s given me a new lease of life.
“It’s made me enjoy the game a bit more.”
Mentality
Kinsella admitted that the injuries and steroid ban had an impact on his mental health, adding: “I have dealt with all of this for years. I’ve only had football and that’s been my background since I was seven years of age, so when that gets taken away from you for two years that definitely messes with your head.
“And when you think you’re flying and then have to get an operation on your knee or your shoulder dislocates or you need surgery on your back, it’s like, ‘all this again’.
“It has definitely had an effect, but you come to an age where you have to just deal with it, and it was what it was and move on from it. If you ask any footballer who wants to pursue themselves in football, any injury is definitely going to affect them mentally.”
With Premier League champions Liverpool bringing a buzz to the city, Kinsella feels their success might spur the NPL North West side on to create their own mark on Merseyside.
“When you see anyone around the city doing well you want to be part of something, whether it’s the team, individuals, scousers as well,” Kinsella continued.
“It does urge you on to try and do something yourself or be part of something. Obviously, that could be us getting to the play-offs or getting to the league above, or even a cup run for that matter.
“When you see something like that, it makes you think ‘is there something we could do ourselves?’.”
Progress
Over the last month and a half, the club have made progress off the pitch, announcing a new lease for the King George V Sports Complex in Huyton as well as a deal with kit manufacturer Puma.
The sports centre means that the club will have access to grass pitches, astro turf and their own gymnasium.
On the pitch, City of Liverpool will be aiming to push up the standing this term.
The Purps were 17th in the North West table when last season came to an abrupt end back in March.
With an aspirational group of players accompanied by a positive management staff, the team will be looking to press forward and make City of Liverpool better known within the area, despite this only being their fifth season as a club.
Kinsella discussed his strong bond with manager, Craig Robinson, adding: “I’ve known the gaffer for years now, I played with him at places like Warrington, so he understands me and understands my needs.
“He definitely gave me the love back, along with the people around the place and the changing room.
“I’m just really enjoying the atmosphere.”